The Gold Coast Suns have parted ways with senior coach Stuart Dew after five and a half seasons, according to multiple reports.
Channel 7 journalist Tom Browne first reported on Tuesday the Suns could announce Dew’s axing as soon as today, with club chairman Bob East having just returned from an overseas trip.
It’s believed the decision was made over the past 24 hours and players and staff have been informed, with a press conference reportedly to be held at 11.30am (AEST).
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It comes after Saturday night’s loss to Port Adelaide saw the Suns fall to 7-9 on the season and slide to 13th on the ladder.
Gold Coast is 36-84-1 under Dew overall, while the highest the club has finished on the ladder under the 43-year old is 12th since he first took the helm in 2018.
It comes despite Dew being contracted for 2024 after signing a two-season extension last year, with club boss Mark Evans unable to guarantee the coach’s future when speaking last week.
According to the Herald Sun, Dew has clauses in his contract which might mean the club only has to pay him out for six months of his salary — potentially as little as $300,000.
It follows reporting from veteran journalist Caroline Wilson last week — claims she doubled down on Monday night — that Dew’s days at the Suns were numbered and that a decision could be made by the end of July after another disappointing season at the helm.
“It’s my firm belief that Stuart Dew’s days at the Gold Coast Suns are numbered, and in fact he could be gone as early as by the end of this month,” Wilson said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified last week.
“The firm belief now at the club, taking it away from me, is that there has been no improvement this year, a year where improvement was expected.
“People around football and management are now casting big doubts on the standards within the footy club and the players and I’m talking more about preparation for big games.
Foxfooty.com.au contacted the Suns for comment.
The club has never played finals since its AFL inception in 2011.
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